Kicking the stubborn iron window frame apart took precious moments we dinnae have. I took a chair and broke apart the bent iron, sending it to the ground to create a space big enough for us.
I got us up on the windowsill barely before the main door exploded, the exquisite, combustive mix of fuel, heat, and oxygen catapulting us out of the building. I wrapped my arms around the cat, trying not to crush the wee beast as I landed.
My left thigh was spasming, which dinnae hurt nearly as much as the furry fiend’s claws embedded into my chest. Not my first time jumping out of a building, and if I’m being honest, not my most graceful landing. However, I was back on my feet and pulling the lass up in seconds.
I wasn’t thinking straight.
I wasn’t thinking at all because I pulled her along behind me like a deer I’d just shot and she was fighting me, screaming something about “Maury.”
Ah. The night watchman. He was running in our direction, still too close to the building, damn the fool!
“Run!”I roared, pointing in the opposite direction. He had the sense to listen, taking off, arms pumping and head down. When the first explosion liquified that corner of the building, he was at a safe distance.
We weren’t.
Scarlett ran with me once she knew the watchman was safe. I threw her into the jeep and put that murderous cat in her arms before getting us out of there.
The worst part?
I dinnae get to watch my beautiful creation bloom and fade.
Currently…
“Did you set it?” Finally, she says something.
My balaclava is long gone, scorched, or ripped off my face in the fall from the second floor. There’s an ember smoldering angrily on the leather of my left boot and I impatiently shake it off, stomping it out.
“Do you think you should be asking that?”
“You mean, because I’m trapped in a car withthe man who most likely just tried to fry me for dinner?” Scarlett laughs humorlessly. “Trust me. This isn’t the worst thing that’s happened to me. It’s not even the worst thing that’s happened to me this month.”
“You must lead one hell of a life,” I nod.
“Is Maury safe? His son’s getting into a great college. He needs this job.”
“Don’t worry about him. He was running toward the corner of the parking lot, well out of the blast zone,” I say. “He’s safe.”
“Thank you. Where are we going?”
The lass is in a bit of shock. There’s blood streaming from an ugly cut in her shoulder and her arm is lying limply on her lap, likely broken. She’s staring out the window, skin pale and clammy.
“You need medical attention and I need to be away from there. Here.” I pull my scarf from the glove compartment and hand it to her. “Put that on your shoulder, it’s still bleeding.”
Turning on to the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, I keep at exactly six miles above the speed limit. No more. No less, staying precisely in my lane. I dinnae have time to get pulled over by a bored Massachusetts State Trooper.
“I… um…” Scarlett seems to collect her thoughts. “Can you drop me off at my friend’s place in Salem? Or just in Salem? Or here on the side of the road? You have to know I’ll never be stupid enough to say anything. I don’t know who you are, I couldn’t possibly describe you with all that soot on your face.”
“Is your friend a doctor?” I ask dryly, “Your shoulder’s going to need stitching.”
She’s petting her cat, running her hand soothingly over its filthy fur. “No. She’s a witch.”
“Of course,” I laugh humorlessly.
“She’s also an EMT,” she snaps. “Please.”
“That’s different. What’s her address?”
Even for a man considered as spooky as I am, this is a wee bit much.
